Fobus Holsters - Love-em or Hate-em?

I need the Forum's feedback. I got into a "lively discussion" with a moderator on another gun board about Fobus Holsters. I stated that Fobus holsters are an excellent value and make good range holsters.

The moderator said Fobus holsters are:

Quote:

---

...Low quality holsters for people who do not know better.

---

So I got to thinking (yea I know, might be dangerous) that maybe I'm the only one that likes them. I have a number of quality leather holsters for concealed carry, but use at least one Fobus paddle every time I go to the pistol range. They're easy off/on, hold the gun securely, and are inexpensive. I own about 10 of them, and have one that will work with almost every handgun I own. The only Fobus I don't like is the Roto.

So what say you, Handgun Forum members? Am I the only one that thinks Fobus holsters are a great value? Please Vote. Thanks.

I have Fobus Paddle holsters for my S&W Sigma and my 1911. They fit great and totally secure the gun. I've never had an incident of the gun or holster coming loose in any way no matter what I'm doing. The contour of the paddle fits my 4 O'Clock carry position very well. I don't even need a T-Shirt between my skin and the paddle. For my XD, I bought an XD Paddle Holster and it doesn't compare to the Fobus. The XD's belt clip protrusion is way too big and it is very hard to take off. The Fobus is much more friendly. After a long day of carry, the last thing you want to do is wrestle to get your holster off. It also doesn't hurt that they are one of the lowest priced holsters on the market.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by James NM

The moderator said Fobus holsters are:

Quote:

---

...Low quality holsters for people who do not know better..

---

---

Fobus is supplier to Israel's Mossad. Israel is a small country surrounded by larger countries, all of whom have declared Israel should be wiped out. Having entrusted their security to "people who do not know better" should be cause to be concerned.

A friend bought one of their holsters for a J-frame snubbie revolver. After a day at the range, he noticed several scratches and some marring on his frame, and could not figure out where they came from.

After some investigation and experimentation, we concluded the little rivets used to fasten the holster together were causing the damage. The sometimes-sharp-edged rivets (on his example, at least) were STEEL! Any contact between the gun and the rivets near the top edge of the holster caused finish damage to the gun.

Not a fan. "Pass."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DJ Niner

After some investigation and experimentation, we concluded the little rivets used to fasten the holster together were causing the damage. The sometimes-sharp-edged rivets (on his example, at least) were STEEL! Any contact between the gun and the rivets near the top edge of the holster caused finish damage to the gun."

---

After reading this, I took my two Fobus holsters and check on the potential for this to occur on my two semi autos. The way the holster is designed, there is no way that I could draw the gun and rake it against the rivets. I would have to draw the gun at nearly a right angle into my body for this to happen and even then, there is a plastic lip that pushes the gun away from the rivets. I use these holsters quite often and have not even incurred any wear marks on my guns.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one for a pistol but, based on the info from DJ Niner, be aware if you are purchasing one for a wheel gun.

Thanks for the votes and comments folks.

Keep-em coming!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dsig1

After reading this, I took my two Fobus holsters and check on the potential for this to occur on my two semi autos. The way the holster is designed, there is no way that I could draw the gun and rake it against the rivets. I would have to draw the gun at nearly a right angle into my body for this to happen and even then, there is a plastic lip that pushes the gun away from the rivets. I use these holsters quite often and have not even incurred any wear marks on my guns.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one for a pistol but, based on the info from DJ Niner, be aware if you are purchasing one for a wheel gun.

---

Good point, and entirely correct. I should have mentioned that we determined the contact/damage probably happened during reholstering, not the initial draw stroke.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by submoa

Fobus is supplier to Israel's Mossad. Israel is a small country surrounded by larger countries, all of whom have declared Israel should be wiped out. Having entrusted their security to "people who do not know better" should be cause to be concerned.

---

Not sure that's a huge endorsement, to be honest. The Israelis buy their small arms and accessories from homegrown companies almost exclusively, which is why you see oddball service guns like Baby Eagles (or "Jericho"). The exception is the M16 series rifles that we supply them as foreign aid, which supplanted the Galil. :mrgreen:

To quote Jan Libourel, "The Zahal has never set much store by handguns." I agree, and don't think the Israelis in general think much of handguns, though of course the legendary Mossad assassins may think otherwise.

Not trying to bash my employer's competition, but quite honestly, I have never seen a really serious person carrying a Fobus. They seem to work okay as entry-level holsters, but most people appear to move on to other holsters when they gain more shooting/carrying experience.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Barham

oddball service guns like Baby Eagles (or "Jericho")

---

Just wondering what "oddball" means in this context.

The IMI Jericho 941 originally used imported parts from Tanfoglio and in many ways is an improved CZ75 with polygonal barrel, heavier dust cover and better springs.

If you had mentioned the IMI SP-21 Barak, then I would agree with you about oddball design.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Barham

The exception is the M16 series rifles that we supply them as foreign aid, which supplanted the Galil. :mrgreen:

---

M16s replaced by Tavor TAR-21 bullpups for IDF standard issue. ":mrgreen:"

I have a Fobus for my Kahr CW9 and it works well. I prefer the Blackhawk Serpa that I have for my Glock 19 but they do not make it for the Kahr. I think the Serpa is far superior to the Fobus. Except when carrying for security duties, I carry most often IWB though.

I have seen at least one "serious person" using a Fobus. A local instructor uses them. He is not only a trainer but also a graduate of EPI in Virginia and works executive protection details. I was suprised that was his choice of holsters but he stated he likes the Fobus much better than the more expensive leather holsters he owns. Everyone has an opinion and different tastes which is what accounts for the variety of holsters on the market.

For some people, using what they can afford doesn't mean they are any less knowledgeable than others. For instance, having been a shooter for over 25 years, and a well practiced one at that, there were times where I couldn't afford to buy a nice high dollar holster. I'd rather spend money on powder and supplies to be an effective shooter than on the leather (or kydex) it sits in. As long as you can clear it fast and effective and have good control of it during daily activities, it's not gonna matter how expensive your holster is when it comes down to brass tacks.

I've had several, I've worn out a few, in the $100-200 range. The cheaper kydex holsters I've used in the "not so rich" days have all served their purpose, perhaps not as well as some of my nicer holsters, but served their purpose none the less. I'd love to be able to afford a top notch, high dollar piece of gun leather, but like I said, if it works for you, you don't need to worry about people being critical, just take the extra $200 you saved and practice twice as hard, and shoot well, it'll be worth more to you if you are put in a situation where you need to use your weapon.

Zhur

There isn't much that I haven't tried in holsters. I prefer leather but they are going up in price astronomically. The Kydex holsters fit and are reasonably priced. I prefer them to Nylon in most cases. The Blackhawk CQB is my favorite but the Fobus is good.

I have a Fobus paddle holster for my Bersa Thunder 380 but usually it sits in my desk drawer. As a inexpensive way to tote my seldom used Bersa T.380 it's OK. I very seldom carry the Bersa anymore.
I've had good experiences with DeSantis and Tucker.:mrgreen:
I had a problem with the owner of the much more expensive K & D. holsters. Not a nice man to do business with. Details by private P.M.:smt076

I looked at thier web site. Not impressed! Spend a little more money on a holster, its worth it.

I have used FOBUS Holsters with the majority of my weapons, I have not had problems with them, but I will only use them for range holsters (I will only carry holster's with a Level 2 retention device for everyday carry). They arent the best on the market but are a great value.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by submoa

Fobus is supplier to Israel's Mossad. Israel is a small country surrounded by larger countries, all of whom have declared Israel should be wiped out. Having entrusted their security to "people who do not know better" should be cause to be concerned.

---

By your logic, any item issued to the Israeli army is high quality. I would venture a guess that they happen to be the lowest bidder for the contract.

It is a low quality holster. The reason its popular is because its cheap, not because its effective. I will once again comment how it never ceases to amaze me that someone will spend $500-$1500 on a gun and then put it in the cheapest holster they can find. Buy a quality holster. There are a BUNCH of them out there, and they don’t have to be expensive.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Old Padawan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by subMOA

Quote:

---

Low quality holsters for people who do not know better.

---

Fobus is supplier to Israel's Mossad. Israel is a small country surrounded by larger countries, all of whom have declared Israel should be wiped out. Having entrusted their security to "people who do not know better" should be cause to be concerned.

---

By your logic, any item issued to the Israeli army is high quality. I would venture a guess that they happen to be the lowest bidder for the contract.

---

Wrong.

By my logic, inflammatory comments such as, "people who do not know better," need to be backed up with something substantive. I happen to respect Mossad operators a lot more than authors of "not know better" posts.

This was followed up by a comment describing 941 Jerichos as oddball (CZ75 based) and M-16 as the standard battle rifle (nope its Tavor TAR-21) of the IDF. Don't know what you Galco boys have against Israel.

BTW Mossad is to IDF what DEVGRU is to UDT, or Delta is to Ranger.

If you believe Fobus has inferior quality, post what specific features you find inferior to teach rather than insult those who might own one. As you can see in the poll, no one considers them the 'best,' just that they are great value. I for one, happen to like my new Fletch a lot better than my Fobus paddle, but still consider the Fobus to be a useful cheap holster.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by submoa

Wrong.

By my logic, inflammatory comments such as, "people who do not know better," need to be backed up with something substantive. I happen to respect Mossad operators a lot more than authors of "not know better" posts.

This was followed up by a comment describing 941 Jerichos as oddball (CZ75 based) and M-16 as the standard battle rifle (nope its Tavor TAR-21) of the IDF. Don't know what you Galco boys have against Israel.

BTW Mossad is to IDF what DEVGRU is to UDT, or Delta is to Ranger.

If you believe Fobus has inferior quality, post what specific features you find inferior to teach rather than insult those who might own one. As you can see in the poll, no one considers them the 'best,' just that they are great value. I for one, happen to like my new Fletch a lot better than my Fobus paddle, but still consider the Fobus to be a useful cheap holster.

---

I disagree. You clearly made an association to Massad and their equipment. You inferred that anything that this group used must be high quality. Therefore anyone that “supplied” Massad must be of quality.

Your post seems to indicate that you believe that I wrote “people who do not know better”. If this is the case I would ask that you read the post again.

I am amazed that you were insulted by my comments. I said it was a low quality holster. Is it your position that it is a high quality holster?

I wasn’t aware that I had to qualify every opinion that I penned, I owned a Fobus for about 4 hours. I got home and tried a couple of practice draws. I couldn’t get my gun out of the holster. I had to take the holster off, pry it open and remove the pistol.. Inspection of the holster showed the two pieces we misaligned when they were riveted together. Poor molding, poor riveting and poor quality control.

I promptly returned the holster.

Bill,

Why so defensive?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Old Padawan

I disagree. You clearly made an association to Massad and their equipment. You inferred that anything that this group used must be high quality. Therefore anyone that “supplied” Massad must be of quality.

---

Follow the logic:

Anon - Low quality holsters for people who do not know better.
SubMOA - Fobus is supplier to Israel's Mossad.
Deductively: people who do not know better = Mossad? WRONG.

My inference, is that the Mossad are among the elite of special operators and it would be ignorant to characterize them as, "people who do not know better." Admittedly, my sarcasm is subtle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Old Padawan

Your post seems to indicate that you believe that I wrote “people who do not know better”. If this is the case I would ask that you read the post again.

---

If I believed as you indicated, I would not hesitate to address you by name. The only information I have about that comment is the first post in this thread saying it occured on a different forum. If you want to dissociate yourself from that statement, OK.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Old Padawan

I am amazed that you were insulted by my comments.

---

It is insulting and erroneous to classify a group of people who make a purchase and are able to obtain satisfactory results as, "people who do not know better," especially if they are the majority of respondents to the poll. If you are stepping up as the author of this defamatory comment, it is not clear.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Old Padawan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SubMOA

As you can see in the poll, no one considers them the 'best,' just that they are great value. I for one, happen to like my new Fletch a lot better than my Fobus paddle, but still consider the Fobus to be a useful cheap holster.

---

I said it was a low quality holster. Is it your position that it is a high quality holster?

---

My position supports the poll results. My opinion of quality: "useful cheap holster." I also happen to like Galco's Fletch better. I would prefer custom fitted hand tooled lined horsehide, but I "know better" than to spend more on the holster than the gun.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Old Padawan

...I owned a Fobus for about 4 hours. I got home and tried a couple of practice draws. I couldn’t get my gun out of the holster. I had to take the holster off, pry it open and remove the pistol.. Inspection of the holster showed the two pieces we misaligned when they were riveted together. Poor molding, poor riveting and poor quality control.

I promptly returned the holster.

---

Thank you. These last comments are a very useful post in this thread especially if someone was considering purchasing a Fobus. Certainly it would be worthwhile to verify the alignment of the pieces before committing to buy and in the case of a leather holster, check that seams are even and that there is no loose stitching to snag.

I would have to say I was fortunate in that the Fobus I own was assembled with the pieces in alignment. With expectations of quality commensurate with Fobus pricing at the $20-30 level, it serves its purpose.

Submoa's comment about the "people who do not know better" quote was clearly not directed to Old Padawan. Submoa referenced that quote before Old Padawan even posted on this thread. Submoa was commenting about the absurdity of the quote by a moderator on another gun board.

The fact that the Mossed uses the Fobus, or that the Fobus paddle is standard issue for the FBI, does not mean that the Fobus is the best holster money can buy. Submoa, nor myself said or implied that. But the Mossad and the FBI using Fobus does speak to the ridiculous "people who do not know better" quote.

I happen to believe, as do many handgun people, that Fobus holsters are an excellent value. I own many handguns. I like to have a holster for most every one. But, I see absolutely no reason to spend a small fortune and purchase an expensive leather holster for every handgun I own. If I only owned one or two handguns, like some people, then having an expensive leather holster for each one would be easy. I have expensive leather holsters for the handguns that I determined needed them. In fact, I probably own more expensive leather holsters than most people who are criticizing the Fobus holsters. For me, and many others (including the Mossad and the FBI), Fobus holsters make sense.

Oops. I started my above post before submoa posted his reply, but with numerous interruptions, I submitted my finished post afterwards.

Well said submoa.

I was not being defensive. Read your post again. You quoted me. I understand that may not have been your intent, but would have appreciated a response along those lines as opposed to “If you are stepping up as the author of this defamatory comment, it is not clear”. Perhaps I am now being defensive but I find your response to be antagonistic.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by James NM

But, I see absolutely no reason to spend a small fortune and purchase an expensive leather holster for every handgun I own.

---

How much is a small fortune? I went to LA Police Gear and found the following prices $51.20 for a Galco Cop three slot, $37.50 for a Safariland pancake, $37.31 for the Bianchi Minimalist. You can spend more if you want, but quality does not have to be expensive.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/holsters.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Old Padawan

I understand that may not have been your intent, but would have appreciated a response along those lines as opposed to “If you are stepping up as the author of this defamatory comment, it is not clear”. Perhaps I am now being defensive but I find your response to be antagonistic.

---

Lets take a look at the response you find so antagonistic.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SubMOA

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Old Padawan

I am amazed that you were insulted by my comments.

---

It is insulting and erroneous to classify a group of people who make a purchase and are able to obtain satisfactory results as, "people who do not know better," especially if they are the majority of respondents to the poll. If you are stepping up as the author of this defamatory comment, it is not clear.

---

My response consists of 2 sentences.

The first clarifies what I find so insulting and contains a quote referring specifically to the first post in this thread. I believe all my posts in this thread have been consistent in this message.

The second sentence refers to the first sentence and seeks clarification of whether you truly support describing people who disagree with you as, "people who do not know better,' or more precisely if these could possibly your words: "people who do not know better."

Bill, I don't know what more I can say to you to clarify what I've written. I am truly bewildered that my objection to an insulting quote originating from a different gun board has escalated in your mind as antagonism towards you.

OK, so does anybody new have anything to add to this thread about the holster? :smt011